ChatGPT Surges to the Top as Most Downloaded App Globally in March

In a remarkable leap, ChatGPT became the most downloaded app worldwide in March 2023, marking a significant milestone in its growth trajectory. The app scored 46 million new downloads, a mind-boggling 28% jump from February. This explosive growth shot ChatGPT past typical leaders of the worldwide app market, such as Instagram and TikTok.

As you all know, ChatGPT has had a meteoric ascendance. When looking at the first quarter of 2021 vs Q1 2025, it achieved a mind-boggling 148% growth in installs YoY. This increase further solidifies its competitive advantage. It further enhances name brand awareness, establishing taller mountains to climb for rival AI powered chatbots.

The month of March also saw a flurry of impressive upgrades to ChatGPT’s features, making it all the more attractive to users. The app recently released its first major upgrade to image-generation in a year over! Now, anyone who wanted to make gorgeous artwork and enchanting memes in the instantly recognizable artistic style of Studio Ghibli can do so. On top of that, OpenAI adjusted its content moderation policies around images and improved ChatGPT’s AI voice feature, adding even more quality to user experience.

These upgrades are a huge part of the app’s recent success. Yet these factors perhaps were not the leading cause of its record-breaking expansion. According to industry analysts, it is ChatGPT’s brand recognition that is most critical. As Ariel Michaeli, founder and CEO of Appfigures, recently put it,

“It’s starting to feel like ChatGPT is becoming a verb, a lot like how Google did in the 2000s, to the point where many don’t think ‘AI’ but rather ‘ChatGPT.’”

This deep-seated brand association is helped along by the company’s marketing collaboration with the world’s richest man, Elon Musk. Further, distribution via X provides a huge platform for engagement.

Yes, March was a record month for ChatGPT and the first time ChatGPT hit the top of the monthly download charts. That’s why the app has recently jumped into the top position in downloads, overtaking even Instagram. Once the most popular app in global app stores, Instagram now ranks second. TikTok came in at No. 2 just behind ChatGPT in terms of downloads.

Additionally, ChatGPT even surpassed usage of other favored social platforms like Facebook and WhatsApp, showcasing its rapid adoption and acceptance. As far as growth metrics go, ChatGPT is obviously not going anywhere anytime soon. Now, it’s emerged as a key force in technology battlegrounds.

The impressive figures underscore a shift in user engagement and preferences, as more individuals turn to ChatGPT for various applications beyond traditional social networking. ChatGPT may have the coolest features and the most impressive market capture. Yet, it stands poised to continue flourishing, despite a much more competitive landscape.